p413 Dearest C Crain, - I was glad to hear - was encouraged in his work. May the Lord be with him and keep him near Himself! That is our great affair, and our spring of joy too. I always get happy when I get here, a little more alone with Him, though my work in different parts has been very happy.

The churches, so-called, are flooded with infidelity: the times are most marked: the brethren, on the whole, are getting on happily - increasing plenty, as far as that goes, but in the main godlily. In two places there is confusion, but what I dread is the world. As a body in -, they are certainly a godly set, and many with whom one can have real communion, and desiring to get on in the word. Mere Bethesda gatherings are, I think, losing any definite place, and a general looseness taking the place of it. Now that people have the idea they can meet thus, it in some respects increases the difficulty, it is so indefinite; but it may lessen it in result, everybody being on his own hook. But there is such looseness of doctrine, one has to be more than ever on the watch. …

Soon, dear brother, Christ will be all fully. May He be all to us in the time of faith!

London [1877].

[52279E]